Confession 144

The 144th training precept: Privately using the sangha’s menstrual robe.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī said to queen Sirimālā: “The World-honored One has laid down (a precept) and made bhikkhunīs keep a menstrual robe. I don’t have one now.” The queen took robes and respectfully offered them to Thullanandā and to the sangha, for everyone’s private use. There were also many bhikkhunīs who went to the queen and said: “Please offer us menstrual robes.” The queen told them: “I’ve already given to all.” They asked: “To whom did you hand them over?” She answered: “To Thullanandā.” The bhikkhunīs asked her for them, but she didn’t give them. The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked if it was true and criticized her, as explained in detail, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī privately uses the sangha’s menstrual robe, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā, or any other bhikkhunī.

“The sangha’s menstrual robe” means someone has offered it to the sangha.

“Privately using” means diverting to oneself.

The remainder is as explained before.